There is NO legal provision for 'Digital Arrest' in India. Police, CBI, ED, and Customs never arrest citizens over Skype, WhatsApp, or video calls. Scammers sound convincing because they purchase your exact home address, Aadhaar/PAN fragments, and family details from commercial data brokers and breach databases. Disconnect the call, dial 1930, and remove your profile from data brokers to stop scammers from building dossiers on you.
The "Digital Arrest" scam is one of the most sophisticated financial frauds operating in India today. Victims receive a call claiming that an illegal parcel containing drugs, forged passports, or contraband linked to their Aadhaar/PAN was intercepted by Customs or Police. The victim is then put on a continuous video call under the threat of "Digital Arrest" until they transfer large sums of money for "verification."
1. The Illusion of Truth: How Scammers Know Everything About You
What makes victims fall into panic is the caller's uncanny accuracy. The scammer often recites your:
- Full legal name and father's name
- Current home address & pin code
- Partial PAN or Aadhaar card details
- Bank name or company director status
Where do they get this data? They do not hack government portals. Scammers buy compiled datasets from Indian data brokers and public directories:
| Data Source | What Gets Leaked / Exposed |
|---|---|
| Director Portals (ZaubaCorp / Tofler) | Full name, DIN, residential address, company links |
| E-Commerce & Courier Leaks | Full address, mobile number, purchase history |
| Property Portals (99acres / MagicBricks) | Mobile number, city, rental/property ownership |
| Directory Apps (Truecaller / Justdial) | Name, alternate numbers, email, location tags |
2. What Official Agencies Say: 4 Golden Rules
No Video Arrests Exist
Neither state police nor central agencies (CBI, ED, NCB, Customs, TRAI) conduct arrests or judicial proceedings over WhatsApp or Skype video calls.
No Secret Bank Transfers
Government agencies will NEVER ask you to transfer funds to a "RBI verification account" or "safe holding account."
Disconnect Immediately
If you receive a threatening call claiming an illegal package or warrant in your name, hang up. Do not argue or panic.
Report on 1930
Report the phone number, caller ID, and incident details to the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in.
3. Cut Off the Source: Erase Your Personal Dossier
Scammers select targets based on how rich their publicly accessible dossier is. If your phone number is not linked to your address, family names, or director status on data-broker platforms, scammers cannot build a convincing trap.
Wipe Your Dossier From 50+ Data Brokers
Saaph scans Indian data brokers, director directories, and breach lists to send legal DPDP Act Section 12 removal notices on your behalf.
Run a Free Exposure Scan →Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Digital Arrest legal in India? (digital arrest scam kya hai?)
No. Digital Arrest is completely illegal and non-existent under Indian law. Law enforcement agencies never arrest citizens over video calls.
How did Digital Arrest scammers get my address and PAN details?
Scammers purchase commercial data-broker lists and scrape public registries (such as ZaubaCorp, TrueCaller, and leaked e-commerce courier lists).
How do I stop scammers from getting my details?
Remove your personal information from data brokers and public directory listings using the DPDP Act 2023 Section 12 right to data erasure.
General informational article as of July 2026. Saaph.in is a privacy technology platform. For cyber emergencies, contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.